Draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP)

Overview

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) is calling for feedback on its draft Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2024–29.

Feedback is sought from our internal and external stakeholders and members of the public, in particular those in the community who use our services or engage with our work.

The DAIP aims to promote access and inclusion of people with disability via our consultation processes, employment, services and events, buildings and facilities, quality of service, information and complaints.

It strongly aligns with the guiding principles of A Western Australia for Everyone: State Disability Strategy 2020-2030.

You are invited to review and submit feedback on our draft DAIP. Your input will help us to finalise our plan, setting the direction for the department over the next five years.

Submissions are due by 5pm on Wednesday, 4 September 2024.

Background

The Western Australian Disability Services Act 1993 requires all public authorities to develop and implement a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. The plan must outline the ways in which the department will ensure that all people have equal access to its facilities and services.

The Disability Services Regulations 2004 outline seven outcome areas we must provide strategies to achieve.

The Western Australian Equal Opportunity Act 1984 recognises that people with disability require, and are entitled to, the same level of service available to other members of the community. This Act also makes it unlawful for a person to discriminate against any person on the grounds of impairment.

This draft plan and proposed strategies aim to provide a framework for ensuring we remove any barriers and limitations to access and inclusion when engaging with the department.

Seven outcome areas for access and inclusion

Outcome 1: Services

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by, a public authority.

Outcome 2: Facilities

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities of a public authority.

Outcome 3: Information

People with disability receive information from a public authority in a format that will enable them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it.

Outcome 4: Service quality

People with disability receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of a public authority as other people receive from the staff of that public authority.

Outcome 5: Complaints

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to a public authority.

Outcome 6: Consultation

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to participate in any public consultation by a public authority.

Outcome 7: Employment

People with disability have the same opportunities as other people to obtain and maintain employment with a public authority.

Consultation open

The draft DAIP Consultation 2024–29 has been developed for public consultation.

The consultation period will run from 9 July 2024. The closing date for submissions is 5pm (WST) on Wednesday, 4 September 2024.

Written feedback on the consultation draft should be submitted via the online survey.

If you require an alternative format to provide your feedback due to accessibility needs, or if you have any questions about the draft DAIP, please contact Human Resources via:

Email: hr@dwer.wa.gov.au

Telephone: 08 6364 7000 (Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5:00pm)

National Relay Service on 133677